Nineteen Ukrainian soldiers, including ten from Azovstal, who were captured on Snake Island at the onset of the invasion on February 24, 2022, have returned home after 828 days in Russian captivity. The prisoner exchange also saw the release of 75 Ukrainian POWs, many of whom are now receiving medical treatment for injuries, serious illnesses, or disabilities. Among the released are seven Ukrainian border guards, a 24-year-old investigator from Mariupol, Mariana Checheliuk, who endured torture and starvation, and five deported orphans. The return of these soldiers highlights the severe conditions faced by Ukrainian POWs, contrasting sharply with the well-fed and healthy state of Russian prisoners exchanged by Ukraine. Notably, only one Azov soldier was among the recently liberated POWs.
Kidnapped Ukrainian policewoman's two years of hell being tortured by Putin's forces: Emaciated officer, 24, starved and beaten after she was abducted while fleeing Mariupol weeps as she finally returns home https://t.co/fRwlpTOP8j https://t.co/vBBNGEhFuN
A 24-year-old investigator from Mariupol, Mariana Checheliuk, who was released from Russian captivity, reads a poem dedicated to her mother. The girl wrote these lines while in captivity. 📹: The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War https://t.co/6hc8orA2my https://t.co/LpCRZcrRW3
One of the Ukrainian soldiers that was released yesterday from Russian captivity after 2 years of imprisonment. Russia is systematically starving Ukrainian POWs https://t.co/5lPjalQxVC
Yesterday, 7 Ukrainian border guards returned to their homeland from Russian captivity. Very strong emotions. 📹 State Border Guard Service of Ukraine https://t.co/K3kdZo16Dk https://t.co/PjXCpJyWRb
Ukrainian soldiers in russian captivity or after it. Now compare how tired and exhausted our soldiers are when they return home from captivity. And what well-fed and healthy russian prisoners of war return from Ukraine to russia during the exchange. And you will no longer have… https://t.co/56j35AsKY5
😔 Just one Azov soldier is among recently-liberated Ukrainian POWs https://t.co/PWwPrXJNxi
🙏 5 deported orphans brought back to Ukraine from Russia – video https://t.co/lbn5ivp6us
Ukrainians soldiers return to Ukraine after a POW exchange. Many of them had been held for 2 years or more https://t.co/cxSld2w3lw
Ukrainian POW pictured after returning from Russian captivity. Never again? https://t.co/Yo1Oy1VhtR
Ukrainian border guard after returning from Russian captivity. 📷 Markiian Lyseiko https://t.co/NVLfbyN4xJ
This is what Ukraine is fighting for. These days are hard for all Ukrainians. But this is what we all dream of - that our Defenders return home to their loved ones safe, sound and victorious. 📹: roksadvo/TikTok https://t.co/DRkpWDzUR6
Ukrainian soldier who returned home today after surviving 2 years in a Russian concentration camp. https://t.co/XG8HoGS13C
🥺 Our soldiers who returned from Russian captivity… https://t.co/d0DiA6H2az
Instead of a million words. A Ukrainian Defender after Russian captivity. Russia must pay. It must. 📷: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine https://t.co/BvgfPIXlpY https://t.co/WS1WHfwutT
The Ukrainian boarder guards released new footage of the 75Ukrainian POW newly freed from russian captivity. They are now finally getting treatments, nutrition & visits from family at medical facilities. At least 1/3 is confirmed to have injuries, serious illness or disabilities. https://t.co/sGecZPnZe3
🚨 "Russian warship, go f*ck yourself!" 19 Ukrainian soldiers who were captured on the Snake Island on the first day of the invasion - Feb 24, 2022, returned home today as part of a prisoner exchange after 828 days in Russian captivity! 10 heroes from Azovstal also returned home! https://t.co/IecFtMOR9e